‘Mariah “Scissorhands” Carey cuts designer dress herself for 2005 album photoshoot’

It’s like that, y’all.

Mariah Carey made a bold fashion statement during a photoshoot for her iconic 2005 album, “The Emancipation of Mimi,” by slashing her designer dress with a pair of bedazzled scissors, as revealed by photographer Markus Klinko in an exclusive interview with Page Six Style.

According to Klinko, Carey wanted to add more edge to her glimmering metallic Threeasfour gown and instructed her stylist to make the dress show more leg. However, when the stylist hesitated to make the necessary alterations, Carey took matters into her own hands and grabbed the scissors to create openings in the dress herself.

Klinko jokingly refers to Carey as “Mariah Scissorhands” for her swift and confident alterations to the dress. He emphasizes that Carey’s unique style and energy were perfectly encapsulated by her choice of cutting tools, reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands, a character played by Johnny Depp in a 1990 film.

Reflecting on the photoshoot, Klinko admires Carey’s confidence and decisiveness, dubbing her “Mariah Scissorhands” with admiration. Despite the unconventional method of dress alteration, the resulting images became iconic and contributed to the success of the album.

When Carey approached Klinko to work on the artwork for “The Emancipation of Mimi,” he was taken by surprise but immediately impressed by her determination and vision for the project. Within 24 hours of their initial conversation, Carey was at Klinko’s studio, ready to collaborate.

Carey’s inspiration for the shoot came from Klinko’s previous campaign for Wolford, a tights brand, which she admired and wanted to replicate for her album cover. Despite the unusual request to recreate his own work, Klinko was captivated by the opportunity to collaborate with a cultural icon like Mariah Carey.

Excited to showcase her physical transformation and hard work in the gym, Carey was determined to create a visually striking cover that highlighted her figure and style. Klinko recalls her enthusiasm and dedication to making the project a success.

The resulting images from the photoshoot became iconic, with Carey proudly displaying them during her recent appearance at the Grammy Awards. The same images are now being used to promote her upcoming Las Vegas residency, “The Celebration of Mimi,” at Park MGM’s Dolby Live theater.

Looking back on the impact of “The Emancipation of Mimi,” Klinko acknowledges the album’s significance in Carey’s career and the music industry. He expresses pride in being a part of such a historic project.

As he prepares to work with Carey again in new capacities, Klinko is eager to create new imagery that pays homage to the iconic aesthetic of “The Emancipation of Mimi” while taking it to the next level creatively.

Receiving the Outstanding Achievement in Photography award at the Hollywood Beauty Awards was a validating experience for Klinko, who transitioned from a classical concert harpist to a renowned photographer. He looks forward to continuing his creative collaborations with Carey and other artists in the future.